When the final team standings were announced, to say Chesterton boys track
coach John Snyder was surprised, is an understatement.

“I’m extremely proud of the kids who competed today,” Snyder said after the
Trojans won the West Lafayette Relays on Saturday. “We went in with the
attitude of just going down to Lafayette to have fun, do our best and see
what happens.”

The Trojans scored 97 team points to beat second place Lawrence North (76)
and third place Valparaiso (71) in the 11-team field.

“I said before that we are a better Big Meet team because of our top-level
quality performers in events as opposed to depth,” Snyder said. “I didn’t
think we could win the title, so I didn’t even keep a running score. I
always keep a running score. As the meet went on, I thought we had a chance
to finish near the top, but I was incredibly surprised when they announced
it.

“We didn’t even have anyone around to accept the team trophy. We were all
headed to the bus.”

A quick look through the results showed the Trojans’ domination, especially
in the field events where they scored 55 team points.

Kody Galloway scored 18 points himself in the field events with a first
place finish in the long jump (21-9 1) and a second place finish in the high
jump (6-4). Justin Zosso cleared 14-7 to win the pole vault and set a meet
record, while teammate Peter Fouts was second at 13-6.

“Kody scoring 18 points by himself in those two events is outstanding,”
Snyder said. “Justin and Peter accounted for 18 points too. Justin setting
the meet record and having a shot at the school record (15-0) was great
too.”

Dan Dellumo finished second in the shot put (52-2) and third in the discus
(142-0).

“Dan throwing 142 in the discus without spinning is unbelievable,” Snyder
said. “When he figures out that technique out, he could be one of the best
in the area.”

On the track, the Trojans lone victory came from the quartet of Tyler
Rusboldt, Manny Orlich, Austin Palombizio and Ryan Cutter in the 4x800
(8:04.64).

“We had an impressive come-from-behind win in the 4x8,” Snyder said. “Cutter
anchored it in 1:57 and that’s the best time in the area so far this year.”

The Trojans also got season-best times in four events, including the 4x400
(3:27.3), 4x100 (45.47) and 4x200 (1:32.29).